Petra Nemcova

Board Vice Chair, Co-founder, All Hands and Hearts

Petra merged her charity Happy Hearts Fund with All Hands Volunteers to create All Hands and Hearts in the Fall of 2017 in order to effectively and efficiently address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters.

She originally founded her charity, Happy Hearts Fund, in 2005 with a mission to rebuild safe, resilient schools in areas impacted by natural disasters. Since its inception, to today with All Hands and Hearts, she is involved on a daily basis. Her initial work in an executive capacity helped establish the structure, vision, and strategy that positioned HHF and now AHAH for long-term success. Petra has been the key motivation and drive behind the cause of rebuilding schools for children forgotten after natural disasters due to lack of sustained response. Her self-understanding of the power of Mother Nature helps her connect with those in need of aid, empowerment, and hope after their lives have been shattered, as she was blessed to survive a near death experience in the 2004 Tsunami. “We can’t control nature, but we can control the actions we take.” Petra is also the founder of the Board of All Hands and Hearts Mexico, Happy Hearts Fund Czech Republic and Happy Hearts Fund Indonesia.

Petra graces campaigns and is a global brand ambassador for Chopard. Her major breakthrough was in 2003 as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover girl. As a model, Petra has achieved international success, working with many renowned designers and global brands.

Petra is also a renowned public speaker and the author of “Love Always, Petra” which she wrote to help children affected by the Tsunami with 100% of the proceeds being sent to support Thai children. She serves on Concordia’s Leadership Council and is on the advisory board of the acclaimed Glamour’s Women of the Year Fund. She is an advisory board member of Regeneration.VC, a venture fund that invests in the founding teams of circular and regenerative early-stage companies. Petra has received several accolades from organizations for her philanthropic work including The United Nations, Women Together, Glamour Woman of the Year and Do Something. In 2017, Petra was appointed by the UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction) as a Disaster Risk Reduction Champion and Tsunami Awareness Advocate.

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